Cowdenbeath player-manager Colin Nish is facing SFA disciplinary action after comments made in the wake of Saturday’s Fife derby.
But the Blue Brazil boss has been cleared to take his place in the dugout for Sunday’s eagerly-anticipated Scottish Cup tie against Rangers after his hearing was set for a date later this month.
The former Kilmarnock and Hibernian striker was sent to the stand by referee Barry Cook during his team’s controversial 2-1 defeat to Dunfermline at East End Park and then hit out at the official at full-time.
The 34-year-old accused Cook of denying his team two ‘stonewall’ penalties and of awarding the Pars a ‘very, very soft’ spot-kick that won them the game.
He said: “You come here to set up a team to play against Dunfermline and then it turns out that you’re not playing against them.
“We had two stonewall penalties in the first half – one of them was the clearest penalty I’ve ever seen in my life – but he doesn’t give it, obviously because there’s a big crowd here in favour of Dunfermline.”
Nish has been issued with a notice of complaint from SFA Compliance Officer Tony McGlennan, accusing him of breaching disciplinary rule 72 governing media comments.
With the hearing being set for January 28, however, Nish is free to lead his team out at Ibrox on Sunday.
A further notice of complaint for Nish’s dismissal from the technical area at East End Park was deemed unnecessary by McGlennan.
Justice
Meanwhile, Nish has urged his players to do themselves justice and enjoy Sunday’s game – even if they come up short on the day.
He said: “The boys played well last Saturday against Dunfermline and we’ve been on a decent run recently.
“As long as we keep up the level of performance and play as well as we can then I’ll be happy.
“It might still be a tough game for us, even if we manage that, but if we go and do what we can do then that’s all I can ask.
“Sometimes you come up against a team that’s a better team and there’s nothing you can do about that.
“But hopefully the boys can enjoy it and learn from it, and we’ll see what happens on the day.”
